HE'S BACK!

[strahanfan92]

ST. LOUIS -- One of the finest ever to play center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals and a key part of the team's success in past decade is coming back for one final swing at the majors.

Jim Edmonds, the eight-time Gold Glove winner, agreed to a minor league deal with the club that included an invitation to major-league spring training. The Cardinals announced the deal with Edmonds, 40, this afternoon.

Edmonds returns to the Cardinals after a tour of National League Central rivals, having played for the Cincinnati Reds most recently. Since the Cardinals traded him after the 2007 season, Edmonds has played for the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers. He did not play at all in 2009, flirting with retirement.

A member of 2004 and 2005's MV3 alongside Albert Pujols and Scott Rolen, Edmonds returns to the Cardinals with 393 career homers.

Where Edmonds fits into the Cardinals' roster is unclear.

The team will carry several bench/outfielders into spring training, including Allen Craig and Jon Jay. Craig, a righthanded hitter, will also get playing time at third base. Jay, a lefthanded batter, can play all three outfield positions. Jay not only is the incumbent for the role that Edmonds could ostensibly take, Jay also has Edmonds' signature No. 15.

From the release:

Edmonds is ranked 4th on the Cardinals all-time list for home runs (241) and is the franchise leader in postseason games (61) and RBI (41). He was a three-time All-Star (2000, 2003 & 2005) with the Cardinals and earned six (2000-05) of his eight Rawlings Gold Gloves awards while wearing the "Birds-on-Bat".

In addition to having his playing time limited by his role in recent years, Edmonds has been followed by injuries. He recently had foot surgery to address Achilles' soreness.

When playing, Edmonds remains productive. Edmonds hit .276/.342/.504 in 2010. He's hit 31 home runs in 586 at-bats since his last swing as a Cardinal in 2007.
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:fuckyeah:



Over/Under 37 Homers this year?

Over/Under 1.5 Gold Gloves this season?

 

[SuperKevin]

As much as I love Edmonds, he probably won't make the major league roster

 

[Jntg4]

Under
Under

Great, a former Cub returns to STL. In a year it will be the other way around with Pujols. :shifty:

 

[Woy]

Over, easily.

And over, because he has two hands so a Gold Glove for each hand.

JIM EDMONDS :wub:

 

[FirstTimer]

Under
Under

Great, a former Cub returns to STL. In a year it will be the other way around with Pujols. :shifty:

Yep because when people think of Jim Edmonds they think "former Cub".

Jesus H Christ.

 

[Goober]

I like Jim Edmonds, he was great in Milwaukee last year.

But the thought of Matt Holliday, Jim Edmonds, and Lance Berkman all playing at once in the Cardinal's outfield is hilarious. Talk about terrible defense.

 

[MvP]

In a Florida hotel four years ago my family had a cabana right next to Jim Edmonds and David Eckstein. Edmonds had three beautiful girls surrounding him at ALL times in the few days they stayed there. I wish him luck in his return back to St. Louis.

 

[mcstl25]

Edmonds is one of my all-time favorite Cardinals. Good to see he'll have the chance to make the team and finish his career as a Cardinal. I'd love to see him hit HR #400 with the birds on the bat.

 

[Blade]

Hits his 400th dinger in July and then he will hit the DL.

 

[manchild24]

Hes still a Halo in my book.

 

[NAHSTE]

Never really liked Edmonds, tbh. Overrated defensively after the fluke over the shoulder catch, and as a hitter he struck out a ton despite having some great power for his position.

I guess dragging out his career and getting passed around the NL Central like the town whore in order to reach 400 HR is an accomplishment though.

 

[Jntg4]

Yep because when people think of Jim Edmonds they think "former Cub".

Jesus H Christ.

You think I wasn't aware of his Cardinals career?

 

[NAHSTE]

You think I wasn't aware of his Cardinals career?

Apparently you aren't aware of his Angels career.

 

[FirstTimer]

You think I wasn't aware of his Cardinals career?

bama:

 

[Jntg4]

Apparently you aren't aware of his Angels career.

Na, I'm aware. He was a Cardinal for 8 years, and Angel for 7 years.

Just being a Cubs homer earlier.

 

[Philly Diehard]

He'll be a serviceable bench option and veteran presence at the absolute best for the Cardinals this season.

 

[NAHSTE]

Or not:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/02/jim-edmonds-retires.html

Jim Edmonds has retired, the Cardinals have announced (on Twitter). The 40-year-old, who agreed to a minor league deal with St. Louis earlier in the month, is still bothered by his right Achilles, so his playing days are over.

Edmonds retires with a .284/.376/.527 line and 393 career homers. The eight-time Gold Glover and four-time All-Star played for the Cardinals, Angels, Padres, Reds, Cubs and Brewers over the course of a career that began in 1993. An elite hitter in his prime, Edmonds was also a standout defender who became known for highlight reel catches in center field.

The 17-year veteran spent eight seasons with the Cardinals from 2000-07. He hit .285/.393/.555 for the Cards and was a member of the 2006 World Champions. After missing the 2009 season, Edmonds returned last year and posted a .276/.342/.504 line for the Reds and Brewers, adding 11 homers and 23 doubles.

 

[FirstTimer]

Now the HOF debate can start. Obviously not a first ballot guy but I could see him sneaking in at some point.

 

[mcstl25]

Now the HOF debate can start. Obviously not a first ballot guy but I could see him sneaking in at some point.

As much as an Edmonds homer as I am, I don't ever see him getting into the hall. He was a great player, but not good enough for the hall.

 

[Woy]

Yeah I love Jim, but I can't see him as a Hall of Famer.